Neighbor News
The Pelican
A wonderful bird is the pelican, His bill will hold more than his bellican. -Ogden Nash
If you live in the Bay Area, and happen to drive over the Bay Bridge, or walk along the Embarcadero, you’ll have witnessed a squadron of pelicans performing their acrobatic maneuvers over the Bay. These beautiful birds are native to our coasts and shores and are currently under threat due to diminished food supplies, human-wildlife conflict, and the threat of fishing nets and lines.
On a beautiful Saturday in April, I was driving through Upper Rockridge when I spotted a Brown Pelican sitting in a driveway near Lake Temescal. It’s rare to see these birds on the ground, especially in a residential neighborhood, and I was concerned for his welfare. I could see his mate circling high above but had no idea what to do to help this beautiful water bird.
Fortunately, I knew how to call. Within minutes, Valerie Wayne a volunteer from Lindsay Wildlife, was on the scene. She had called in the expert – Craig Nikitas from Raptor Rescue – but he was an hour away, so we secured the area and kept an eye on our injured friend.
Nikitas is the founder of Bay Raptor Rescue, a not-for-profit rescue organization in the Bay Area, and he participates in hundreds of large bird rescues every year. We were a little concerned, since the pelican had become agitated, and had flown to the rooftop of a nearby garage, where it appeared to have settled down and gone to sleep.
Once Craig arrived, it took him only minutes to retrieve a large net from his car, clamber onto the rooftop, and gently retrieve the sick bird. When he inspected the pelican, he found him tangled in a long fishing line, which he gently removed. Then it was into a plastic pet carrier for a short overnight stay with Valerie, and an early morning drop-off to International Bird Rescue in Fairfield.
The folks at International Bird Rescue were experienced and efficient. He was quarantined, screened for bird flu, and then admitted into their rescue program, where he joined over 125 other brown pelicans who had recently been rescued.
While he was seriously dehydrated, and emaciated from lack of food, the capable staff had him on fluids within a few hours, and solid food within a few days. Now he is thriving and well on his way to being reintroduced into the wild.
It’s a privilege to work with organizations like Lindsay Wildlife Experience, Bay Area Raptor Rescue and International Bird Rescue. These talented folks and their volunteers dedicate countless hours to helping protect, resuscitate, and reintroduce wildlife in the Bay Area. As non-profits, they depend on donations to continue operations, so I hope you will consider supporting our local wildlife through a gift to one of these outstanding organizations.
It was an amazing experience to be part of this rescue, and one I will not soon forget. I’m reminded of it every time I see a squadron of pelicans skimming over the Bay. It was great to be able to help wildlife in need.
If you happen to find an injured animal, please call Lindsay Wildlife Experience at their hotline: 925-357-8097 or email them at hotline@lindsaywildlife.org
For donations:
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
www.lindsaywildlife.org
Bay Area Raptor Rescue
www.bayraptorrescue.org
International Bird Rescue
www.birdrescue.org